US prosecutors revealed on Monday that Ryan Routh, the man accused of an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, wrote a letter months prior to the incident, detailing his intentions and offering a bounty for Trump’s life. Routh, 58, faces charges related to gun crimes after allegedly pointing a rifle toward Trump’s Florida golf course on September 15, while Trump was playing golf.
According to a criminal complaint, Routh was found hiding with a firearm near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, prompting immediate concern for the former president’s safety. As of now, Routh has not entered a plea and is scheduled for a hearing at 11 AM EDT (1500 GMT) on Monday, where prosecutors will seek to keep him in custody until his trial.
In a court filing released ahead of the hearing, prosecutors disclosed that Routh had previously delivered a handwritten letter to “the world,” which included a chilling offer of $150,000 for anyone who could carry out the assassination of Trump. The letter reportedly stated, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you.” This letter was discovered in a box submitted by an unidentified civilian witness, alongside ammunition, a metal pipe, and four phones.
Further evidence against Routh includes a handwritten list found in his vehicle, detailing dates in August, September, and October when Trump had appeared or was scheduled to appear publicly. Additionally, investigators noted that Routh’s cellphone records showed pings from towers near both the Trump International golf course and Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s residence.
Routh faces charges of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Prosecutors have indicated that additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
While authorities have yet to disclose a specific motive for Routh’s actions, the FBI is treating the case as a serious attempted assassination ahead of the upcoming presidential election on November 5. In a self-published book from 2023, Routh expressed controversial views, notably stating that Iran was “free to assassinate Trump” due to the former president’s decision to withdraw the US from the international nuclear agreement with Tehran during his administration.
The allegations against Ryan Routh have raised significant concerns regarding security and political violence, especially in the context of the approaching presidential election. As the legal proceedings unfold, the details of Routh’s actions and motivations will likely come under intense scrutiny. The case highlights the growing issues surrounding threats to public figures and the need for vigilant security measures in the current political climate.
